Development and evaluation of a clinical simulation for new graduate nurses: A multi-site pilot study

Background: New nursing graduates have revealed that they perceive a gap between theory and practice with reference to their education and the real workplace setting. Additionally, many nurses experience a reality shock when they participate in clinical practice. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and test the effects of a scenario-based simulation training program on new graduate nurses' competency, critical thinking dispositions, and interpersonal communication skills. Method: This pilot multi-site study used a pretest-posttest control group design. It was conducted at four sites of a university-affiliated simulation center in Korea. Participants were recruited utilizing a convenience sample from four tertiary hospitals in Korea. Twenty-four new graduate nurses participated in this study. Results: At the three-month follow-up, the levels of communication skills used in practice among the intervention group were statistically significantly higher than those of the control group participants (U = 151.50, p = .005). However, there were no significant differences between the groups in changes in nursing competency (U = 287.50, p = .992) or critical thinking disposition scores (U = 269.50, p = .702). The participants' mean rating scores concerning the objectives, intentions, and recommendations for other nurses were positive and high. Conclusion: The involvement of current practicing of nursing in certain scenarios and the implementation of simulation learning could enhance the readiness of new graduate nurses. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.